Last Week in Self Storage

What’s the best use of a vacant, outdated strip mall? Turn it into a self-storage facility, of course.

U-Haul has plans to do just that to a former strip mall in Baraboo, Wis. The facility has a temporary showroom while a permanent one is constructed, but otherwise it’s open for business. It’s also got moving and packing supplies for sale, and trucks for rent.

The strip mall once hosted a JCPenney store but it’s been vacant for about eight years.

“This is a beautiful community and it doesn’t deserve to have empty buildings sitting around and becoming outdated,” said Adam Sonnleitner, president of U-Haul’s local market.

U-Haul also has a planned conversion of a former retail property underway in Spokane, Wash.

A fire that blazed through Cohoes, N.Y., damaged or destroyed about 20 buildings.

“We extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families,” said Ben Naaktgeboren, president of U-Haul’s local market. “This was the worst fire the city has seen and, being so close to the holidays, we want to support our community in any way possible.”

Whatever Happened to…?

If you ever wondered whatever happened to some of the original cast members of the show “Storage Wars,” you can wonder no more.

Barry Weiss, known for his sunglasses and quick wit, is being a “professional slacker” after trying his hand at a “Storage Wars” spin-off show. Dave Hester has moved into the storage auctioneering business. Darrell Sheets continues to plunder storage auctions. And Jarrod Schulz and Brandi Passante remain cast members.